Shan Cooper, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics vice president and general manager of its Marietta facility, said education is crucial to the future of the United States.

That’s why she will be the keynote speaker at the 10th Annual Betty Gray Scholarship Luncheon, presented by the Foundation 2000 for Children.

“Educated citizens keep our government, industry, social institutions and culture vibrant and productive,” Cooper said. “The Betty Gray Scholarships help young people who have already realized the value of a good education to continue to pursue their dreams and professions. A solid education was crucial to my personal success, and I’m pleased to have the opportunity to encourage each of the recipients to never stop learning.”

The March 18 luncheon in Mableton will benefit $1,200 scholarships for students at four south Cobb area high schools: Pebblebrook, South Cobb High, McEachern and Performance Learning Center in Smyrna. Doris Billups-McClure, principal of Riverside Elementary School in Mableton, said 200 people are expected for the event.

The luncheon is named for Betty Gray, who sat on the Cobb School Board for 16 years. She also served as a teacher at South Cobb High in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as principal at Wheeler High and Sedalia Park Elementary schools, both in east Cobb. Among her students was former Gov. Roy Barnes.

The nonprofit Foundation 2000 was started 13 years ago as a way to provide educational opportunities for students at schools in south Cobb. Along with the luncheon, it is also funded by a June golf tournament.

“With the money provided from that particular tournament, we provide after school services to students in the schools,” Billups-McClure said.

The schools, as well as their parent-teacher associations, get involved with raising money for the foundation, she said.

*We welcome your comments on the stories and issues of the day and seek to provide a forum for the community to voice opinions. All comments are subject to moderator approval before being made visible on the website but are not edited. The use of profanity, obscene and vulgar language, hate speech, and racial slurs is strictly prohibited. Advertisements, promotions, and spam will also be rejected. Please read our terms of service for full guides